Holland wins third straight start, evens his record

Aug. 21, 2009

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The return of Nelson Cruz to the Texas Rangers lineup still didn't mean a day off for Marlon Byrd or put rookie speedster Julio Borbon on the bench.

Byrd, starting his 52nd straight game, homered in consecutive innings and made a spectacular diving catch in between those long balls. Borbon went deep for the first time in his career in an 11-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night that kept Texas within a game of Boston for the AL wild-card lead.

"This is fun," Byrd said. "You just hope you just keep grinding it out, keep getting hits, keep helping this team win and they keep putting you out there."

Cruz, the All-Star slugger activated from the 15-day disabled list before the game after missing 15 games because of a sprained left ankle, homered in his return to the lineup.

Every Rangers starter had a hit in their last home game before playing nine games in a row and 15 of 19 on the road.

Borbon went 3 for 5 with three RBIs and is hitting .536 (15 for 28) in seven starts since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City while Cruz was hurt. Michael Young and Hank Blalock, who hasn't had a day off since June 30 and was in a 3-for-27 slump, also had three hits.

"I can't say how hungry I am to win. It's great to be in the race. We want to win," said Young, who in his ninth season is the longest-tenured Ranger. "We have a bunch of young guys and we're feeding off their energy. This gives us some momentum heading into the trip."

Derek Holland (7-7) allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings to win his third straight start. The rookie left-hander beat the Red Sox and AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels his previous two starts.

Holland was pulled with the bases loaded and a 4-1 lead after three Twins singles in the sixth. Hard-throwing rookie Neftali Feliz needed only two pitches to induce an inning-ending double-play grounder from Joe Crede.

Cruz ignited a five-run sixth for the Rangers when he led off the inning with his 26th homer. He was 0 for 10 in a three-game rehab assignment this week at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

All four Texas homers came in 5 1/3 innings off rookie right-hander Anthony Swarzak (3-7)